New Jersey

Phil Murphy Poses With Cutout of Chris Christie Lounging on Beach

By Adam Warner • •

Gov.-elect Phil Murphy posed with a life-sized cutout of Gov. Chris Christie at an event. Murphy said he couldn’t resist, but Christie wasn’t amused.

What to Know

  • Gov.-elect Phil Murphy posed with a cardboard cutout of Gov. Chris Christie on a beach over the summer
  • Murphy was at an event hosted by the New Jersey Working Families Alliance, an organization that supported him during his campaign
  • Christie came under fire last summer after photos emerged of him on a beach outing while state parks were closed for a government shutdown

New Jersey governor-elect Phil Murphy posed for photos with a cardboard cutout of Chris Christie lounging on a beach last summer.

Murphy was at a gala hosted by the New Jersey Working Families Alliance Thursday night when he posed with the cutout brought out by organizers. 

While on a diplomatic trip to Puerto Rico on Friday, Murphy told NJ Advance Media that he was standing near the cutout at the event and "couldn't resist."

Christie came under intense criticism after he was photographed with his family on a beach closed to the public over the Fourth of July weekend because of a government shutdown. 

Jarret DiGiantomasso
(Credit: Jarret DiGiantomasso)
Jarret DiGiantomasso
Gov. Chris Christie was back at the beach Tuesday, only this time in sand form.
Jarret DiGiantomasso
The sandy version of the governor took in the sun with beachgoers celebrating the Fourth of July.
Jarret DiGiantomasso
The sculpture became a focal point for beachgoers at a Seaside Heights beach.
NBC New York
The giant sand sculpture of Gov. Chris Christie appeared at the beach Tuesday morning.
NBC New York
Lifeguards told News 4 that the sculpture was created by two men named Larry and Tom, who build a sculpture at the beach every year.
NBC New York
The sculpture was scrawled with the words, “Beach Closed,” “I Love New Jersey” and “July 4th.”
NBC New York
The sculpture pays homage to a viral photo of the governor lounging on a state beach that was closed to the public because of a budget impasse.
NBC New York
The sculpture began to fade as the sunny, summer day dragged on, but the form of Christie was still visible.
NBC New York
Dozens of beachgoers snapped photos with the Christie sand sculpture.
NBC New York
Lifeguards said the sculptors began their fleeting piece of art Tuesday morning and were finished by early afternoon.
Asbury Park Press
Someone destroyed the sculpture shortly before nightfall. More at Asbury Park Press.
Asbury Park Press
The sandy version of the governor was replaced by a smiling face, possibly that of a starfish. More at Asbury Park Press.

Murphy got some pushback for posing with the cutout. Christie himself responded to the cutout after an event in Newark on Friday, according to NorthJersey.com.

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"I think someone's got to remind him that the campaign is over," Christie reportedly said, calling it "disappointing because we've been so open and so welcoming to him."

NBC 4 has reached out to Christie's office and Murphy's representative for comments. 

The Democratic governor-elect succeeds the Republican governor on Jan. 16.

Copyright AP - Associated Press

This article tagged under:

New JerseyGovernorPuerto RicoPhil MurphyChris Christie
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